The 2024 season for the New Orleans Saints has taken on an entirely different mood since Darren Rizzi was named interim head coach. Prior to the change, the Saints were on a seven-game losing streak. Since the change, New Orleans is undefeated, winning its last two games. However, New Orleans isn’t just winning games; the franchise is overcoming curses that fans didn’t think was possible.
During Sunday’s game at home, the Saints inducted franchise legend Jahri Evans into the Ring of Honor. Of course, Evans’ teammate Drew Brees was in attendance. While it’s always great to welcome Brees back, fans know that’s typically bad news, because the team always loses when Brees is in attendance.
Brees there? Big L today https://t.co/0JMyLGlGhS
— Ryan (@datboywolf) November 17, 2024
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case on Sunday. New Orleans picked up a big 35-14 win over the Cleveland Browns with the legendary quarterback in attendance. Naturally, every praised Rizzi, and blamed former coach Dennis Allen for the curse even being a thing.
This man Darren Rizzi
— Jono Barnes (@JonoBarnes) November 17, 2024
-beat the Falcons
-got the Pelicans their only win in two weeks
-broke the Drew Brees curse
HIRE HIM NOW!!!! https://t.co/zMhSzE3mPN
Saints fans are blaming Dennis Allen for the Drew Brees curse
To be fair to all parties involved, New Orleans has been mediocre since Brees retired. There was pretty much a 50/50 chance the team would lose with him in attendance, the coin just always landed on an L.
However, Rizzi’s tenure couldn’t be off to a better start. The team has two huge wins under him, both at home, and the franchise is moving with a different energy under his lead. The team is now 4-7, and entering their bye week.
While they still have a long way to go, it seems clear everyone in the building believes they can actually make a run at the playoffs. That would involve winning out for the rest of the season, or dropping just one more game. While that may seem like a tall task, winning with Drew Brees in attendance was a tall task for the team until Sunday.